By Magreth Nunuhe
WINDHOEK – President Hifikepunye Pohamba yesterday officially launched the much anticipated and ambitious National Mass Housing Development Programme that will see 185 000 houses built by 2030.
At the launch at Otjomuise Extension 10, he called on all relevant government institutions and other stakeholders to co-ordinate efforts to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays or technical difficulties that would derail the project that aims to radically remedy the critical shortage of houses for all Namibians.
He implored the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) to do everything possible so that the programme is implemented in line with set timelines and budgets.
Pohamba also called upon all financial institutions to work together with individuals, contractors, service providers and government in order to ensure that the programme is implemented successfully.
“This is an important national initiative. Housing is one of the basic needs for dignified human existence,” he said, cautioning that the programme would not be easy, but an objective that all Namibians should work towards to ensure its success for the benefit of all.
He added that the programme would transform society and enhance the dignity of thousands of Namibians who currently live in shacks.
The President established the National Committee on Mass Housing in order to address the dire housing situation and to consider ways and means to overcome the housing challenges facing the country.
Other members of the Committee are the Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development Major General (Rtd) Charles Namoloh, the Minister of Finance Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, the Minister of Presidential Affairs Dr Albert Kawana and the Director General of the National Planning Commission, Tom Alweendo.
Following broad consultations, the Committee together with the NHE technical team compiled a blueprint on the National Mass Housing Development Programme, which was presented to and approved by cabinet earlier this year.
The programme is aligned to the implementation of the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4) and Vision 2030 to fulfill government’s undertaking to put in place a robust and effective programme for delivery of affordable housing and sanitation.
The plan is to build 185 000 affordable houses by the year 2030, which will be implemented in phases at a projected cost of a massive N$45 billion.
The first phase is to run for two years and target all 14 regional capital centres by building an approximate 8 800 housing units, while 10 200 plots will be serviced at an estimated cost of N$2.7 billion.
“The implementation of the programme will be scaled up for the remaining fifteen years to ensure that approximately 12 000 houses are built per year in different parts of the country,” said the Head of State.
The President further disclosed that government would provide financial support through some form of subsidy, but communities and households are still expected to make their own contributions.
“For far too long, many families have lived in difficult conditions, without basic services such as clean drinking water, electricity and ablution facilities,” he said, adding that now Namibians would not only get affordable housing, but have access to better sanitation.
The programme will target the middle, low and ultra-low income groups in terms of providing access to land and housing and is divided into sub-programmes, such as the credit-linked housing that targets middle-income groups, as well as the social or subsidised housing that caters for low and ultra-low income groups.
Merrow Thaniseb, the Deputy Director of Housing in the Ministry of Regional, and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development disclosed that they intend to build around 1 500 houses in Windhoek in the first year, but due to time constraints, with only a few months left in the financial year, he did not think it would be possible.
He added that no contracts have been signed for Otjomuise Extension 10 but those on the waiting list would enjoy priority although not everyone on the list would necessarily get a house.
Thaniseb said that no contractor has been appointed as of yet and a tender was still to go out.
The deputy director of housing said that a committee of experts ranging from property valuators and town planners, to architects and engineers has been appointed to ensure that the implementation of the programme goes smoothly.
Sub-committees at regional and local level will play different roles – from monitoring funds sourcing and funds channeling, to ensuring availability of land.
“There will be monitoring and valuation at national level,” he said.
Thaniseb said he was aware of how the TIPEEG (Targeted Intervention Programme for Employment and Economic Growth) bureaucratic procurement process delayed implementation in the past, including tender court challenges.
He said the NHE would be the implementing agency, which would make it easier to administer and monitor the programme.
Deon Steyn of Afrikuumba Construction, which is one of the construction companies bidding for the project, said that they could build around 2 500 housing units for the whole Extension 10.
He said that depending on NHE’s sales drive, they could build these housing units within two years.
“We must still present (our plan) to the City of Windhoek,” he said.